Oscar-nominated actor Alec Baldwin will be charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico set of the western film «Rust,» prosecutors said Thursday.
Baldwin and the film’s gunsmith who was in charge of weapons on set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, will each face two counts of manslaughter, according to New Mexico 1st Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies.
The first assistant director of «Rust,» David Halls, has agreed to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon, according to Carmack-Altwies’ office.
«After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the State of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the ‘Rust’ film crew,» Carmack-Altwies said in a statement. declaration.
«On my watch, no one is above the law and everyone deserves justice.»
Hutchins was fatally shot nearly 15 months ago during filming of «Rust» at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico on October 21, 2021. Baldwin was rehearsing a pistol for a scene set inside a church when the gun went off, killing Hutchins and wounding the director, Joel Souza.
Hutchins, 42, was survived by her husband, Matthew Hutchins, and their 9-year-old son, Aldous.
The announcement of the charges came three months after the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office presented the results of the investigation to prosecutors.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adán Mendoza told ABC’s «Good Morning America» in April that he believed there was a «degree of abandonment» on the set of «Rust.» But he left decisions on criminal charges to the district attorney’s office.
In early October, Hutchins’ husband settled his wrongful-death lawsuit against the producers of «Rust,» including Baldwin. Matthew Hutchins said in a statement that filming would resume in January and that he would join the project as an executive producer as part of the deal.
“Throughout this difficult process, everyone has had a specific desire to do what is best for Halyna’s son,” Baldwin said in an instagram post after the deal was announced. «We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painful situation.»
The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator determined the shooting to be an accident based on autopsy results and a review of police documents, according to The Associated Press.
In an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos in December 2021, Baldwin gave his first public account of the fatal shooting, stating that he did not pull the trigger. He strongly insisted that it was not his fault and said that he did not feel guilty about the incident.
“I feel like someone is responsible for what happened, and I can’t say who it is,” he said. «But I know it’s not me.»
Baldwin added that if he could, he would «do everything possible to undo what happened.»
«Rust,» set in 1880s Kansas, stars Baldwin as a grizzled outlaw who goes on the run with his grandson after the boy accidentally kills a local rancher, according to a report. Plot Synopsis on the internet movie database.
Souza is expected to return as director when filming resumes this month. He previously directed the under-the-radar indie crime dramas «Crown Vic» and «Break Night.»
Baldwin is a prolific actor known for playing executive Jack Donaghy on the NBC sitcom «30 Rock,» impersonating former President Donald Trump on «Saturday Night Live,» and appearing in movies like «Beetlejuice» and «Glengarry Glen Ross.»
He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for «The Cooler,» released in 2003.
denis romero Y david k li contributed.